Background An odontogenic cause of a lung abscess can easily be overlooked. Case description A 61yearold man presented at the emergency department with a productive cough and dyspnoea. He was admitted to the pulmonary ward with a suspected odontogenic lung abscess. A thorax CT scan confirmed the diagnosis 'lung abscess', following which the dental surgeon confirmed that the lung abscess probably had an odontogenic cause. The patient made a full recovery following a 6week course of antibiotics, and he received extensive dental treatment. Conclusion Poor oral hygiene can be a cause of a lung abscess. A patient with a lung abscess can be treated successfully with a 6-week course of antibiotics; however, if the odontogenic cause is not recognised the abscess can recur.

hdl.handle.net/1765/102996
Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Geneeskunde
Erasmus MC: University Medical Center Rotterdam

Van Brummelen, S.E. (Sigrid E.), Melles, D., & Van Der Eerden, M. (Menno). (2017). Een slecht gebit als oorzaak van een longabces. Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Geneeskunde, 161(45). Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/1765/102996